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The Rodoanel Norte, marked by years of delays, finally progresses in São Paulo. Via Appia Concessões promises to generate up to 10 thousand jobs and alleviate the city's chaotic traffic.
The wait is finally over – or at least that's what authorities say. The Rodoanel Norte, one of the most ambitious and problematic infrastructure projects in São Paulo, is, after eight long years of delays, getting off the ground and taking shape again.
The highway, which should have been the solution to the chaotic traffic in the Metropolitan Region, suffered years of abandonment and exorbitant costs. Now, with new deadlines and the promise of thousands of jobs, the question that hangs in the air is: will this time the project finally deliver what it promised?
After being halted for almost a decade, construction of the Rodoanel Norte, in São Paulo, was resumed in April 2024 by Via Appia Concessões. With a contract worth R$3,4 billion, the company assumed responsibility for completing the work, which has already exceeded R$10 billion in total costs.
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The expectation is that the stretch between the Presidente Dutra and Fernão Dias highways, which Today it employs around 550 people and can generate, as mentioned, up to 10 thousand opportunities, delivered by the second half of 2025.
The recovery after years of frustration
O Rodoanel Norte, originally designed to ease traffic in the capital of São Paulo, should have been completed in 2016. However, what followed were years of uncertainty, with delays and an escalation in costs that almost doubled from the initial budget of R$5,6 billion.
According to the Transport Agency of the State of São Paulo (Artesp), Via Appia FIP Infraestrutura, winner of the 2023 tender, took on the challenge of completing the highway and operating it for the next 31 years.
The first signs of progress emerged when, in April 2024, works officially resumed. According to journalist Alexandre Pelegi, a journalist specializing in transport, from Transport Diary portal, In the first three months, activities have already reached 5% progress, including topographic services, inspections, cleaning and opening access along the 44 kilometers of the Rodoanel Norte.
Structure and impact of the Rodoanel Norte
With a total length of 44 kilometers, the Rodoanel Norte crosses the municipalities of São Paulo, Arujá and Guarulhos, connecting Avenida Raimundo Pereira de Magalhães to Rodovia Presidente Dutra.
When finally completed, the highway should play a crucial role in reducing heavy traffic on the Tietê and Pinheiros riverbanks, as well as facilitating access to the Port of Santos.
“We are determined to overcome the challenges of the past and deliver a highway that brings benefits to the population and economic development for the region,” said Brendon Ramos, president of Via Appia Concessões.
The project is divided into two main sections. The first, which runs from Rodovia Presidente Dutra to Rodovia Fernão Dias, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2025, as mentioned.
The second section, which extends from Rodovia Fernão Dias to Avenida Raimundo Pereira de Magalhães, in the capital, should be completed by the end of 2026. At this stage, the work involves cleaning the right-of-way, drainage, earthworks and the construction of four viaducts that connect Dutra to the beginning of the northern section..
Technical data and challenges
The grandeur of the project is reflected in the numbers: 44 kilometers long, 3 to 4 lanes with shoulder, seven double tunnels with a total length of approximately 11 km, 107 special works of art, including bridges and viaducts. In addition, the Rodoanel Norte will have 20 wildlife crossings, two vehicle weighing stations and an Operations Control Center (CCO).
Despite the optimism, the work still faces significant challenges. Via Appia Concessões will have to balance the pressure to meet the new deadlines with the need to ensure that the highway meets the expected quality and safety standards.
The concessionaire will also have the mission of reversing the image of a project marked by successive postponements and inflated costs, demonstrating that the resumption of works represents a new beginning for São Paulo’s road infrastructure.
A new hope for traffic and the economy
When it finally comes into operation, the northern section of the Rodoanel should provide immediate relief for drivers and transporters, while boosting the economic development of the São Paulo Metropolitan Region.
The expectation is that the highway will significantly reduce travel time, reduce pollution and facilitate the flow of goods to the Port of Santos. Via Appia, through the concessionaire Via SP Serra, will take over the operation and maintenance of Rodoanel Norte for 31 years, consolidating itself as a key player in the São Paulo highway network.
Will Rodoanel Norte be able to fulfill its promises and alleviate traffic in São Paulo this time, or are we facing yet another project doomed to face new delays and problems? Leave your opinion in the comments!
I believe it will go from paper to reality. I only see one problem in this section and in the others. There is no service infrastructure (fuel stations, for example).
In my humble opinion, this is a serious flaw of every magnitude.
It will definitely be fixed, I also completely agree with you 👍
5 billion reais?
Are you going to spend 5 billion to finish the ring road, which has already been built and has a paved road?
Brazil being Brazil.
Of course, my friend, the more our tax money is spent, the happier the politicians are, and we now know why.
These projects costing billions are the joy of the governments that pay for them, right? And we already know why, right?
I'll only believe it when I see it! Total political disregard for us, the taxpayers of the largest city in Latin America!
And let's see, I hope it's true 😃 not to mention that we'll have more job opportunities 🥹😀😀